BGC Introduces New Rules for Football Clubs Promoting Gambling on Social Media

Steven Hubbard
Steven Hubbard Published: 04/10/2023

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) will put new rules in place on March 1st 2021 which will prohibit football clubs from placing calls to action or direct links to sports betting sites in their organic social media posts. The new rules also state that any display of direct odds and bonuses can only be included in sponsored media posts that target over 18's only.

These new rules are coming into place following concerns that the current posts could be getting round strict measures in preventing under 18's from seeing betting adverts online. The BGC will now inform the Premier League and EFL to make clubs aware of these new rules.

Brigid Simmonds, chairman of the BGC, said: “Football clubs are an important part of the sporting fabric of this country, followed by millions of all ages on social media.

“Our members rightly have a zero-tolerance approach to gambling by under-18s, so as an industry we are understandably concerned that children may be exposed to betting adverts on Twitter.

“Our new guidelines make clear the standards expected of football clubs when they post gambling promotions on social media, and I look forward to them being put into practice as soon as possible.”

These changes also come at a time where social media posts and adverts now need to regularly include safer gambling messages and make it clear that the ads are for those 18+.

Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis. If you have any questions about online gambling in the UK, please don't hesitate to contact him.